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Mikel Arteta recovery is derailed by injury

Matt Hughes

July 16 2015, 1:01am, The Times

Wenger has pledged to treat Akpom as a first-team player this seasonJeremy Lee/Reuters

Mikel Arteta has suffered a setback in his protracted return from injury after sustaining another calf strain. The Arsenal captain has been able to train with his team-mates this week, but was not considered fit to play in yesterday’s 4-0 victory over a Singapore Select XI, which featured a hat-trick from Chuba Akpom.

Arteta has not played since suffering a calf injury during a Champions League group-stage victory over Borussia Dortmund last November and while the latest problem is not thought to be related, he will be concerned about incurring an injury in a similar area. The 33-year-old midfielder was ruled out of the final two thirds of last season with further calf and ankle injuries and will be desperate to get back to action…